Page 27 of Perfect Assumption

I walk over to David. “Here. Give this to your wife. I’m rescuing our assistant for a while.”

“Wait, you are?” Angie splutters.

I place my hand on her shoulder and say with complete seriousness, “Do you want to be here when Carys explodes?”

She shakes her head vigorously. “I’ll get my coat. Meet me up front.”

I spin to grab my keys when I hear David call my name. He doesn’t look up from reading the article. All he asks is, “Bring us back something from La Maison or she might really start lopping off heads.”

“Do I look stupid? Wait, don’t answer that.”

That’s when David does look up. He smiles. “No, you don’t. You look like someone who’s trying to rectify the mistakes he’s made over the last two years. Just…don’t rush her. Okay?”

“Right.” Then I walk through the heavy doors.

Angie’s already got on her coat, hat, and gloves. I’m shrugging on my overcoat when we both hear, “Are you kidding me?” screeched.

“Time to go. Now.” I grab Angie’s hand, and we both dash for the door.

“I feel a little bad for leaving her.” She looks over her shoulder.

“She won’t be coherent until we get back,” I assure her.

“True,” she accedes. Then, “Where are we going?”

“I’m taking you to a land filled with chocolate.” Then I don’t say another word as we descend in the elevator.

“Come on. Give me another hint.” Her voice is filled with excitement.

“You just have to trust me.” I hold out my arm. I pretend not to notice she hooks her hand in with a slight hesitation before we hurry off in the cold fall air.

* * *

Minutes later,we burst through the doors of La Maison du Chocolat on West Forty-Ninth Street. Her breathless “Oh” made the cold walk worth it.

I stand back as Angie slowly admires each and every item in the display cases.

One of the sales associates approaches. “Wonderful to see you, Mr. Burke.”

I hold out a hand. “You as well, Jacques. Can you make up an assortment for my sister?”

“Of course.Soixante trois?”

I contemplate whether I need to go larger than sixty-three pieces. “That should be fine. Thank you.”

“Please help yourself to the coffee in the back.” But I’m not listening as I watch Angie’s gloved fingers run over a price tag before she tucks them behind her back.

I wait until she’s inspecting the packages of dark chocolateMendiantbefore I lean over her shoulder to ask, “What are you going to indulge in?”

She jumps so high, she practically topples over the entire display. When she rights herself, it’s with a hand pressed to the center of her chest. Her expression is accusatory, even a bit scared.

I quickly apologize. “I’m sorry, Angie. I didn’t realize you were concentrating so hard.”

“No. I…just startle easily when I’m approached from behind. Isn’t the smell in here divine?” She inhales deeply.

“You’ll soon find out it tastes better.”

She shakes her head firmly. “No way. We’d have been in my budget more if we’d stopped off at the M&M store in Times Square.”